Decision Memo · El Yunque National Forest All Units · updated 7/24/2025
Three sites: Zarzal within FWS Aviary (PR 9966-RIo Grande), Quebrada Grande Recreation Area (PR 186-Rio Grande) and Juan Diego (PR 191-Rio Grande) · Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Improve the habitat of the endangered tree Eugenia haematocarpa by removing non-native vegetation and planting 150 trees.
Wildlife, fish, rare plantsVegetation management (other than forest products)Watershed management
Scoping Start
07/2025 (Estimated)
Decision
07/2025 (Estimated)
Implementation
07/2025 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (5), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(5) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Forest Vegetation Improvements; Species Habitat Improvements; Noxious Weed Treatments; Species Population Enhancements; Watershed Improvements |
| Forests | El Yunque National Forest |
| Districts | El Yunque National Forest All Units |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Decision Memo · El Yunque National Forest All Units · updated 5/7/2025
Tract L-16L is located in the municipality of Canovanas in Puerto Rico. It is found along Road PR-186 km 10.8. · Canovanas, Puerto Rico
Encroachment by adjacent private landowner into tract L-16L in El Yunque NF, including earth and vegetation removal, construction of improvements, and planting of non-native species. Landowner will assume all restoration of the area.
Vegetation management (other than forest products)
Decision
06/2024 (Estimated)
Implementation
02/2025 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (5), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(5) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Forest Vegetation Improvements |
| Restoration Following Encroachment in Tract L-16L | Decision Signed Date: 06/25/2024 |
| Forests | El Yunque National Forest |
| Districts | El Yunque National Forest All Units |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Decision Memo · El Yunque National Forest All Units · updated 5/6/2025
El Yunque Peak Communications Site: 18 degrees 18' 26" N, 65 degrees 47' 44" W; East Peak Communications Site: 18 degrees 16' 6.5" N, 65 degrees 45' 30.9" W · Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Issuance of a new special use authorization for existing communications uses on the El Yunque National Forest, for a new term to replace an existing or expired special use authorization.
Special use management
Decision
02/2019 (Estimated)
Implementation
03/2019 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (15) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Special Use Authorizations |
| Special Use Authorization Issuance for Existing Communications Uses | Decision Signed Date: 02/07/2019 |
| Forests | El Yunque National Forest |
| Districts | El Yunque National Forest All Units |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Decision Memo · El Yunque National Forest All Units · updated 7/24/2024
El Yunque National Forest, Rio Grande, PR. Along the road to the filtration plant, along PR 988 . · Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
The purpose of this project is to improve the water source at the Catalina Office and the El Portal Visitor Center by drilling and constructing two new water wells and improving the parking area at the existing Filtration Facility.
Facility management
Decision
07/2024 (Estimated)
Implementation
08/2024 (Estimated)
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (3), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(3); 32.2 (21), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(21) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Facility Improvements/Construction |
| Forests | El Yunque National Forest |
| Districts | El Yunque National Forest All Units |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Environmental Assessment · El Yunque National Forest All Units · updated 6/7/2023
KM's 8.0 to 13.3 on PR 191,Rio Grande, PR, 00745 · Luquillo; Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Repair, restore, improve, and develop a variety of existing recreation sites located along the PR-191 La Mina Recreation Area Corridor.
Recreation managementFacility management
Comment Period
08/23/2022
Decision
10/2022 (Estimated)
Implementation
01/2024 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 219 (2012) |
| Project Activity | Developed Site Management; Facility Improvements/Construction |
| Forests | El Yunque National Forest |
| Districts | El Yunque National Forest All Units |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Decision Memo · R8 - Southern Region All Units · updated 9/28/2022
El Yunque National Forest, Bano de Oro Recreation Area · Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
The purpose for the Bano de Oro deferred maintenance project is to restore administrative and recreation sites to improve the experience for forest visitors and recreationist and to repair damage by recent catastrophic events of Hurricane Maria.
Recreation management
Decision
09/2022 (Estimated)
Implementation
10/2022 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (5), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(5) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Developed Site Management; Facility Maintenance; Scenery Management |
| Forests | El Yunque National Forest |
| Districts | El Yunque National Forest All Units |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Decision Memo · R8 - Southern Region All Units · updated 9/1/2022
El Yunque National Forest, Yokahu Tower Recreation Area · Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
El Yunque National Forest is proposing to conduct deferred maintenance activities to the amenities/features of the Yokahu Tower recreational area. all activities will be done within the existing footprint.
Recreation managementFacility management
Decision
07/2022 (Estimated)
Implementation
10/2022 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (5), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(5) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Developed Site Management; Facility Maintenance; Scenery Management |
| Forests | El Yunque National Forest |
| Districts | El Yunque National Forest All Units |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Decision Memo · El Yunque National Forest All Units · updated 9/30/2021
Project will occur along La Mina and Big Tree trails. Starting at Palo Colorado trailhead, PR 191 KM 13, terminating at Big Tree trailhead, PR 191 KM 10.2 · Luquillo; Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
The US Forest Service proposes to repair, rebuild and restore Big Tree and La Mina trails in El Yunque National Forest. The La Mina Bridge will be redesigned and rebuilt as part of the project.
Recreation management
Decision
09/2021 (Estimated)
Implementation
11/2021 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (1), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(1) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Trail Management |
| Big Tree and La Mina Bridge Reconstruction | Decision Signed Date: 09/18/2021 |
| Forests | El Yunque National Forest |
| Districts | El Yunque National Forest All Units |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Decision Memo · El Yunque National Forest All Units · updated 9/3/2021
Bisley Road is a Forest Service Road off of PR988. · Luquillo, Puerto Rico
Repair landslide on Bisley Road, and repair road drainage features, and resurface the road at the same maintenance level. Replace the entrance gate.
Road management
Decision
03/2021 (Estimated)
Implementation
09/2021 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (4), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(4) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Road Maintenance |
| Bisley Road Landslide Repair | Decision Signed Date: 03/29/2021 |
| Forests | El Yunque National Forest |
| Districts | El Yunque National Forest All Units |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Environmental Assessment · El Yunque National Forest All Units · updated 3/16/2021
El Toro National Recreation Trail #34, Rio Grande, Las Piedras, and Canovanas, P.R. · Ceiba; Luquillo; Naguabo; Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Repair 1000 mts of El Toro Trail. Relocate eroded tread
Heritage resource managementRecreation management
Scoping Start
02/2011 (Estimated)
Comment Period
03/2011 (Estimated)
Decision
06/2011 (Estimated)
Implementation
10/2011 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 215 |
| Project Activity | Heritage Resource Management; Trail Management; Order Creation/Modification; Watershed Improvements |
| Forests | El Yunque National Forest |
| Districts | El Yunque National Forest All Units |
Decision Memo · El Yunque National Forest All Units · updated 5/12/2020
Located along PR Highway 9966 at the existing Iguaca Aviary Site · Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Facility repairs to the Iguaca Aviary will repair damage from the 2017 hurricanes. Project will also expand one building within the existing facility footprint.
Special use managementFacility management
Decision
05/2020 (Estimated)
Implementation
05/2020 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (3), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(3) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Facility Improvements/Construction; Special Use Authorizations; Facility Maintenance |
| Iguaca Aviary Reconstruction and Upgrades Decision Memo | Decision Signed Date: 05/11/2020 |
| Forests | El Yunque National Forest |
| Districts | El Yunque National Forest All Units |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Decision Memo · El Yunque National Forest All Units · updated 3/3/2020
Quebrada Grande Recreational Area and El Toro Trail, El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico. Located on the western side of the forest along Carr. 186 · Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Along the 186 Scenic Byway, recreation facilities will be refurbished or removed. Improve watershed conditions in and adjacent to recreation facilities, through removal of hurricane debris and reshaping of small streams of Quebrada Sonadora.
Vegetation management (other than forest products)Watershed management
Decision
03/2020 (Estimated)
Implementation
03/2020 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.12 (4), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(4); 32.12 (5), 36 Cfr 220.6(D)(5); 32.2 (19), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(19); 32.2 (20), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(20) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Developed Site Management; Forest Vegetation Improvements; Trail Management; Watershed Improvements |
| Restoring the El Yunque National Forest PR 186 Scenic Byway | Decision Signed Date: 03/03/2020 |
| Forests | El Yunque National Forest |
| Districts | El Yunque National Forest All Units |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Decision Memo · El Yunque National Forest All Units · updated 12/10/2019
Across the western side of El Yunque National Forest. · Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
In contribution to the overall Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Plan, new artificial nests, monitoring platforms, access trails, and associated competitor controls would be placed in the forest.
Wildlife, fish, rare plants
Decision
08/2019 (Estimated)
Implementation
08/2019 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Categorical Exclusion | 32.2 (6), 36 Cfr 220.6(E)(6) |
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | Not Subject to Regulations |
| Project Activity | Species Habitat Improvements; Species Population Enhancements |
| Forests | El Yunque National Forest |
| Districts | El Yunque National Forest All Units |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |
Environmental Impact Statement · El Yunque National Forest All Units · updated 8/13/2019
Forest Wide · Canovanas; Ceiba; Fajardo; Juncos; Las Piedras; Luquillo; Naguabo; Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Revision of the El Yunque National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan
Land ownership management
NOI in Federal Register
09/18/2014
DEIS NOA in Federal Register
09/30/2016
FEIS NOA in Federal Register
08/17/2018
Objection Period Start
08/24/2018
Decision
05/2019 (Estimated)
Implementation
06/2019 (Estimated)
Project documents
NEPA / regulatory detail
| Special Authority | Not Applicable / Other |
| Notice and Comment Regulation | 219 (2012) |
| Project Activity | Plan Creation/Revision |
| Record of Decision for the Revised Land Management Plan | Decision Signed Date: 05/20/2019 Legal Notice Date: 05/30/2019 |
| Forests | El Yunque National Forest |
| Districts | El Yunque National Forest All Units |
| Legal Land Description | Not Applicable |